Abstract

This study examined the interspecific amplification of nuclear microsatellite loci developedmainly for eucalypts in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus across five species within the secondmost speciose subgenus, subgenus Eucalyptus. A set of eight to 10 loci, depending on taxon,have been identified that are highly variable and easily scored. The successful transfer ofmicrosatellite loci to these eucalypt species sidesteps the expensive and time-consumingdevelopment of species-specific microsatellite libraries. This primer set will enable theexamination and cross-species comparison of the genetic resources of commercially andecologically important members of the subgenus Eucalyptus